Hello,

I do not know very well about participatory journalism but I can tell you that participatory research goes exactly in that direction. Even in those democracies that are not "backsliding".

Journalism often destabilizes democracy. In the example of media, a contemporary democratic backsliding paradigm is related between state and non-state actors and social actors’ power positions, political identities, and professional practices. The reliable press should be cautious not to internalize a proto-democratic responsibility to represent public attitude in ways that justify attention to mobilized irrationalism. Journalists must recognize the synergy of media with populism during elections. The purpose of anti-media populists is to undermine faith in journalism and other institutions.

Journalism is definitely a tool of manipulation for government agendas which, regardless of the form of government, are aimed at maintaining power/control. It is an essential component of legitimacy to garner tacit support from the people within the sphere of influence.

At this year ISTR conference, the price for best social innovation research was about a project from Brazil that helps people in poor conditions to share abuses from police